UMass Dartmouth welcomes three new research administration leaders

David Parker, Bridget Burger, and Mary-Kate DaCosta-Chicca join the Office of Research and Innovation to support the University's growing research enterprise

UMass Dartmouth has welcomed three new members to its research administration team as the University continues to strengthen support for faculty, researchers, and its expanding research enterprise.

David Parker joins UMass Dartmouth as Director of Research Administration. Bridget Burger will join the University as Manager of Pre-Award Administration, and Mary-Kate DaCosta-Chicca will serve as Pre/Post Award Grants Manager.

"I firmly believe Dave brings the exact combination of administrative and legal expertise, steady leadership, and genuine dedication to supporting people. Alongside Bridget and Mary-Kate, they will be incredible partners to our researchers, scholars, and staff as we continue to elevate and expand UMass Dartmouth's research enterprise," said Yanlai Chen, Chief Research Officer.

David Parker

Parker brings more than 20 years of leadership experience spanning academic research, higher education, healthcare, government, and the U.S. Navy.

He most recently served as Director of Administration and Finance at MIT's Plasma Science and Fusion Center, where he led administrative operations across finance, facilities, human resources, and communications for an approximately $44 million organization. He oversaw a 25-person team, approximately 250,000 square feet of laboratory space, and a wide range of strategic, financial, personnel, and operational initiatives.

Previously, Parker held senior research administration positions at Mass General Brigham, the Broad Institute, and the Schepens Eye Research Institute. His experience includes pre- and post-award administration, contract and subaward negotiation, financial management, compliance, and support for large, complex scientific portfolios.

Parker also served as a labor attorney for Boston Public Schools and earlier served as a lieutenant in the U.S. Navy. He holds a J.D. from Suffolk University Law School and a B.A. in Spanish from the University of Colorado Boulder.

Bridget Burger

Burger brings more than a decade of experience in funded projects and contracts management, K-12 and higher education, and international program development.

Her research administration experience spans the full grant lifecycle, including proposal development, budgeting, contract negotiation, compliance, subcontracting and procurement, consortium management, and post-award reporting and audits. She has managed initiatives supported by organizations including the National Science Foundation, National Security Agency, Horizon Europe, and Digital Europe.

In 2022, Burger was selected as a Fulbright Specialist by the U.S. Department of State. Through that work, she established STEM Húsavík, a community-based STEM education network in Iceland that developed into a national and international education organization.

She has also served as Director of the Cape Cod Regional STEM Network at Cape Cod Community College. She has worked across academia, government, industry, and nonprofit organizations to develop partnerships and manage multi-institutional initiatives.

Burger holds a B.A. from Yale University and an M.Ed. from Lesley University and has pursued doctoral studies in education at the University of Iceland, with research and teaching focused on ocean literacy.

Mary-Kate DaCosta-Chicca

DaCosta-Chicca joins UMass Dartmouth with more than three years of experience managing grants across local, state, and federal funding programs.

Most recently serving as a Senior Grant Writer, she developed and managed competitive grant applications, budgets, post-award reporting, and compliance requirements while also supervising and mentoring grant writing staff.

She holds a bachelor's degree in English from Bridgewater State University and will support UMass Dartmouth researchers throughout both the pre- and post-award phases of sponsored projects.

The additions strengthen the Office of Research and Innovation's capacity to help faculty pursue funding opportunities, administer complex awards, build research partnerships, and advance UMass Dartmouth's growing research portfolio.